LEAVE TOO EARLY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32625, 24 September 1945, Page 7

LEAVE TOO EARLY

HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS COMMENT BY PRINCIPAL SOME UNFORTUNATE RESULTS Comment on the tendency for pupils to leave school, before rhe completion of their courses, and the necessity for rectifying this, is made by the principal, Mr H. G. Dorrington, in his report to the meeting of the Thames High School Board of Governors. “It is noted that a number of children le.;ve school as soon a>s they reach their fifteenth birthday, 1 ’ he said. “There are still a small percentage who only stay at school as long as the law compels them. In some instances, bright pupils also leave before it is wise to do so. It is a pity that parents do not confer with the .school authorities before deciding to find employment for their children. Guidance in the choice of occupations should be sought in all cases. ‘A square peg in a round hole’ is a social misfit, and makes unhappy and. disgnintled workers. “The '.school teaching staff is in the best position to judge what type of work a. child is most suited to do, can give advice about prospects in and preparations for careers, and can wisely indicate when a child’s education i-; eompleted. Too many pupils repoaf. a day or two before they leave, that they have a certain job. it is, frequently, an unsuitable job and one which they are ill-fitted to fill. Employer*, too, would reap ’ advantages from seeking advice from the school concerning boys or girls they are thinking to employ before a decision is made. Employment Bureau “1 intend soon to develop the school as a’n. employment bureau, so that employers will get, into the habit of contacting the school for hoys and girls they need. The project will include boys ami girls seeking their employment through the school, rather than seeking it, haphazardly. The result should be ;i raising of the standard' of efficiency in work, and more satisfaction to employers generally. ■■('loseJy associated wrt-li the above is the effort that will be necessary to raise the standard of the commercial and engineering courses at the school. There is an idea abroad that these are ‘soft options’ to the academic course. This is not true. Learning such subjects as bookkeeping, shorthand and; typing requires just as much com-entration and study for success as mathematics or French. Only the brightest pupils can achieve the best 'results. Too many pupils leave this course before they have completed it.